Chess Gifts Worth Giving From Unique Sets to Smart Boards
Useful chess gifts depend on how the recipient plays: a clock for timed games, a travel set for games away from home, a workbook for study, or a themed board for a collector. Someone who mainly plays online may prefer a membership or a smart board instead. This guide compares specific products, explains their trade-offs, and helps you avoid buying a second version of something the player already owns.
Unique Chess Gifts With Unusual Designs
Unusual chess sets make personal gifts when the theme matches the recipient's interests, but stylized pieces can be harder to recognize during play. The 3D-printed chess designs below draw on city skylines, robots, and fantasy; the Xiangqi option follows different rules. All seven products in this section are sold by Autonomous. Their specifications come from product listings, not independent play testing.
| Gift | Why it works | Budget |
|---|---|---|
| New York Chess | Architectural pieces with skyline details for someone attached to New York | $67 |
| Robot Chess Set | Two robot armies with distinct piece types and a four-part board | $97 |
| 2030 San Francisco Chess Set | A compact, four-part board and futuristic San Francisco-inspired pieces | $43 |
| San Francisco Chess Set (F) | Colorful spire-shaped pieces and a larger interlocking board | $47 |
| Manhattan Nocturne Chess | A nighttime New York theme with familiar chess roles | $39 |
| Medieval-fantasy Chess | Thirty-two pieces and a board with recessed dark squares | $86 |
| Chinese Chess (Xiangqi) | A different strategy game, with engraved disc pieces and two storage drawers | $45 |
New York Chess
New York Chess is a complete chess set whose pieces borrow shapes from landmark towers, rooftop water tanks, and the city's architecture. Limestone-colored and midnight blue-green armies make it easy to see which side is which. This is a good chess-themed gift when the recipient has a personal connection to New York or wants a board that also looks intentional on a shelf. If they only play tournament chess, ask whether they would rather have standard pieces.
Robot Chess Set
The Robot Chess Set turns the usual kings, queens, and pawns into little robots, with terracotta and cream sides. Each chess piece type keeps a consistent shape so the set still follows ordinary chess rules. The board has 54 mm squares and joins from four printed tiles. A programmer or robotics enthusiast who also plays chess may enjoy the theme, but someone who prefers traditional pieces might not. It is one option among gifts for programmers, rather than an upgrade every chess player needs. The listing specifies the dimensions; it does not establish tournament approval.
2030 San Francisco Chess Set
The 2030 San Francisco Chess Set is a smaller tabletop design built around a speculative city skyline. Its board connects from four quadrants into a square about 9.6 inches wide, while the pieces have six recognizable silhouettes. This is a chess gift for someone short on desk space or interested in the architecture and technology of San Francisco. Its compact board is less comfortable for long sessions than a full-size club board, so treat portability and visual design as the main reasons to choose it.
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San Francisco Chess Set (F)
San Francisco Chess Set (F) uses tall, spire-shaped pieces in bright colors, with a board made from four dovetailed panels. Its assembled board measures about 10.2 inches square, and the piece bases include optional weight pockets. Unlike the 2030 San Francisco version, this design emphasizes slender architectural forms. It makes sense as a gift for someone who likes modern design and occasional games at home, but the unusual silhouettes may take a few moves to recognize.
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Manhattan Nocturne Chess
Manhattan Nocturne Chess keeps the standard 32-piece setup while translating the pieces into a city after dark. Rooftop water towers become pawns, heavier corner towers become rooks, and a Gothic-style crown marks the king. A charcoal and brass-toned board completes the theme. Choose this for someone who likes chess-related gifts that can stay on display between games. Because the piece shapes are stylized, a new player may find classic Staunton pieces easier to learn with.
Medieval-fantasy Chess
Medieval-fantasy Chess includes 32 separate pieces and an 8-by-8 board. The listed king is 3.5 inches tall, with the other pieces scaled to familiar chess proportions. Recessed dark squares mark the board without relying on a printed checker pattern. The set suits a player who enjoys fantasy settings but still wants a recognizable game. It takes more room than the compact city sets, so check where the recipient would keep it before buying.
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Chinese Chess (Xiangqi)
Chinese Chess is a Xiangqi set, not another version of Western chess. It comes with an engraved board, 32 circular pieces marked with Chinese characters, and two sliding drawers for storage. Its river, palace, cannons, and generals belong to a different ruleset. This is the right gift when the person already plays Xiangqi or has said they want to learn it. Someone asking for a standard chess board could be disappointed if the difference is not clear.
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Practical Chess Gifts for Everyday Play
Practical chess gifts solve a specific need: a travel set makes games portable, a clock adds time controls, and a workbook gives a developing player a way to practice. Which one gets used most depends on the recipient's routine. A person who already owns a display set may prefer a functional accessory instead of another board.
| Gift and deal | Why it works | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Folding Travel Chess & Checker Set, Medium (Chess House) | Hinged magnetic set that closes for travel and stores both games' pieces | $22.00 |
| DGT 1001 Game Timer (Chess House) | Easy-to-use clock for casual timed games without advanced time controls | $33.95 |
| Everyone's First Chess Workbook (US Chess Sales) | Structured tactics and checkmate exercises for developing players | $24.95 |
Smart Chess Boards and Digital Chess Gifts
A digital option fits best when someone already plays online and wants to bring that habit to a physical board or a learning platform. Smart boards are a substantial purchase, while a membership avoids extra hardware. Before buying a connected board, confirm which sites, apps, and devices the recipient uses.
| Gift and deal | Why it works | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chessnut Air Electronic Chess Set (Chessnut) | Recognizes physical pieces and connects to supported chess apps for online play | $249.99 (listed from $349.99) |
| ChessUp 2 Smart Chess Board (ChessUp) | Guided move lights and official Chess.com integration | $379.99 (regular $429.99) |
| Chess.com Gift Membership (Chess.com) | Gold, Platinum, or Diamond access without gifting another physical item | $49.99 / $79.99 / $119.99 yearly |
How to Choose a Chess Gift by Skill Level
The safest chess gift matches the recipient's playing habits more closely than their age or your budget. Someone who only plays online may appreciate a connected board, while a club player might value a reliable clock. A collector may enjoy a skyline-themed set for reasons that have nothing to do with tournament equipment.
| Recipient | Gift that fits | What to check before buying |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Readable pieces, a practical set, or a tactics workbook | Can they identify each piece easily? Do they want to study? |
| Casual player | Travel chess set, themed set, or simple timer | Do they play at home, away, or mostly online? |
| Club or tournament player | Suitable clock, carrying set, or equipment they requested | Which event rules, board dimensions, and time controls apply? |
| Collector or design enthusiast | Robot, skyline, or medieval chess set | Will it be displayed, played, or both? |
| Online-first player | Gift membership or smart chess board | Which platform and devices are already in use? |
For formal play, follow the event's requirements rather than relying on the words "tournament style" in a product description. The FIDE equipment recommendations specify board squares between 5 and 6 centimeters and emphasize stable, recognizable pieces. A set with unusual architecture or miniature squares can still be a thoughtful gift, but it may be better for home use than competitive play.
If you are shopping without knowing the player's rating, start with their existing setup. Look for a worn travel board, missing clock, or interest in chess lessons. If they collect unusual sets, a themed design may be an option; otherwise, ask before buying another board. For a teammate who plays chess, a compact set can also be a practical choice among gifts for coworkers, provided they have room to use it. In an office swap, a travel set is easier to exchange than a setup-heavy electronic board, especially when planning Chinese gift exchange ideas. Keep the price within a comfortable range, and do not mistake an expensive electronic board for a necessary upgrade.
FAQs
What is a good gift for a chess lover?
A good gift for a chess lover is something that fits how they use chess: a travel set for games away from home, a clock for timed matches, a workbook for practice, or a themed board for display. If you are unsure, find out whether they play online, at a club, or casually with friends.
What should you give someone who already owns a chess set?
Someone who already owns a chess set may appreciate a practical addition rather than a replacement board. A simple digital clock, portable magnetic set, tactics workbook, or Chess.com gift membership fills a different need. If they collect chess objects, an architectural or robot-themed set can be a personal choice without replacing their everyday equipment.
Are themed chess sets good for playing?
Themed chess sets can work well for casual games when each piece type is easy to identify and the board is comfortable to use. Unusual silhouettes, shiny surfaces, or very small squares may become distracting in long matches. For tournaments, check the organizer's requirements and the relevant FIDE equipment recommendations before buying.
What are good chess gifts on a small budget?
Good affordable options include folding travel sets, introductory tactics books, and straightforward chess clocks. These are practical because they address travel, study, or timekeeping rather than adding another display item. The product tables above show examples at different price points, and prices change periodically, so check the live retailer listing before choosing.
Can you buy a Chess.com gift membership?
Yes, Chess.com lets you give Gold, Platinum, or Diamond membership for one month or one year. Gifts are one-time purchases and do not automatically renew. The sender can choose a future delivery date, and the recipient can redeem the gift with an existing account or create one using the receiving email address.
Are smart chess boards worth giving as gifts?
A smart chess board makes sense for someone who likes physical pieces but plays or studies digitally. It can connect board moves to apps, and some models add guided move lights. The extra cost is harder to justify if the recipient prefers unplugged games, lacks the required devices, or already owns equipment they enjoy.
What are unique chess gifts for someone who loves design?
City-themed sets, robot-shaped pieces, and fantasy boards can suit chess lovers who also enjoy design. They work well as display pieces, but unusual shapes may make fast games less comfortable. Look for a theme the recipient likes, then check board size, piece readability, and whether they want to play regularly or mostly display the set.
The Bottom Line
The best chess gifts fit the recipient's playing habits. A club player may use a clock or workbook regularly, an online player may prefer a membership or connected board, and a collector may enjoy a chess set inspired by robots or architecture. Check what they already own, then compare playability, compatibility, and practical value before choosing.